Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
“Yes.” I wait for her to continue, but she doesn’t. She turns her head, refusing eye contact and concentrating on the dark comforter.
“I see,” I say as I reach for a chocolate truffle and hold it up for her to eat. After all, she did answer my question with honesty. “Dessert treasure? Unless you’re full.”
Her eyes dart to mine with surprise. She accepts the chocolate and I give her another while asking, “What is it that you’re keeping from me?”
“I was asked not to say.” Her voice is sorrowful as she answers me.
“Hmmm.” I press my lips together and pick up another chocolate, but she shakes her head and fiddles with her fingers in her lap. “Are you full?”
“Yes.” A moment passes between us, and I take the break to settle her in the middle of the bed and move the tray to the dresser before returning to her. She brings the sheet to her lap as armor, as I war inside with how I should handle this.
I don’t care for that fact that she’s keeping things from me. And I especially don’t like that I have to pry information from her only to be given short responses. However, the fact that she keeps her word is admirable.
After clearing my throat, I pry more. “Answer me this.” I climb onto the bed and sit next to her, this time she doesn’t shy away, but stays where she is. “Did anything happen that frightened you while I was gone?” I highly doubt Cyrus did, but I still need to ask. For an odd reason, the weight of the world seems to settle against me as I wait for her answer. I do not wish to kill my own brother.
She shakes her head and answers, “No.” As relief slowly washes over me, she adds, “For a moment I was a bit scared, but everything was fine.” I stare at her, wanting more, and then I realize the best possible solution.
“From now on, my treasure, if someone asks you to keep something from me, I want you to tell them that you can’t.” It’s then she realizes I know at least something and a spark flashes in her eyes. I’m careful as I bring my hand up and brush her hair from her face.
“I wish to know everything about you and everything that happens to you. You will do that for me, and I will ensure they understand that it is not prudent for you to keep secrets from me, is that understood?”
A shy smile plays at her lips. “I can do that, Sir.”
Fuck. I love that she added that “Sir” for me. Even more so that she seems to be enjoying the game. I scent the air again and her heat has nearly vanished. She’s still aroused, which is nice, but not what interested me in the first place. It’s possible it will come again in a few weeks. I will keep her until then.
She yawns drowsily and quickly covers it with her hand. She truly is a beautiful creature.
“I need to reward your good behavior treasure.” I watch her out of the corner of my eye as I climb off the bed toward the nightstand and blow a gentle flame onto the large wax candles throughout the room. Some are large pillars of wax a few feet high and the flame slowly grows nearly a foot tall. Others are smaller and sit atop the furniture. I walk the length of the room and light them until the room is lit with a warm glow. She watches with wide eyes as the flames slip from my lips effortlessly like a whisper of treacherous secrets.
“And then you can sleep.”
“W-what is my reward?” Her voice is laced with apprehension.
I smirk at her and answer, “A touch of fire that only a dragon can give you, my little treasure.” She swallows thickly while pulling her legs inward and wraps her arms around her knees. Her breathing becomes shallow as she stares at me, the fire echoed in her gorgeous eyes.
“Are you...” she whispers but doesn’t finish. I can smell her fear.
“I’m not going to fuck you.” Her breathing stills with my statement. “I don’t think you’re ready for that. Are you?” Her hazel eyes dance with uncertainty.
Shock overwhelms me. Is she truly debating it?
She may think she’s ready, she may want physical affection, but not sex. Not yet. Not until she knows exactly what the consequences of that may be. I won’t push, although my dragon is desperate for her.
“Then what is my reward?” she asks breathlessly.
I stare at the button-down shirt she’s wearing; it’s made of natural fibers, which is good. Anything else could melt or ignite. And I know she isn’t wearing any perfumes or lotions since I bathed her myself. “Massage. It’s therapeutic and I think it would do you some good.” I make my way back to the nightstand and cock an arrogant brow. “Undress again and lay on your belly.”